According to Nikkei's new profile of Foxconn and its ambitions in electric vehicle manufacturing, Apple supplier Foxconn has been making major efforts to enter the market for vehicle production.
"If we can create iPhones, then why can't EVs?" Terry Gou, Foxconn's founder and former chairman, stated this in an internal meeting. It is an iPhone with four wheels.
Foxconn has been interested in electric vehicles since 2014, when the "A-Fu Initiative", a project to create an electric vehicle prototype, was launched. The complexity of building a car led to the project's demise. However, Foxconn continues to build a supply chain for vehicles and plans to move into EV manufacturing.
Young Liu, Gou's successor, aims to put Foxconn components or software in five percent of electric cars by 2025. Foxconn has factories built in the U.S.A. and Thailand for car assembly.
Apple, too, is trying to get into car manufacturing through its "Project Titan" project. Though the project has changed over the years and evolved, there are rumors that Apple is currently working on an electric vehicle. It could be out as early as 2028.
Foxconn subsidiaries supply parts to companies such as Tesla and BMW. Foxconn has also signed vehicle supply agreements with Fiat and Chrysler owners Stellantis. Geely is currently working with Foxconn to develop software platforms for whole vehicles and to work with Geely. It also plans to produce vehicles for Fisker.
Foxconn, a major Apple supplier already, could play an important role in Apple's future vehicle plans. According to Nikkei Foxconn is believed to be a candidate for Apple Cars.
Rumours suggest that Apple is looking for manufacturing partners. Apple is currently talking to multiple companies, but there's no word on which companies Apple will work with for the Apple Car.
